Eyeglass package



Dec. 13, 1966 s, s. ROSEN EYEGLASS PACKAGE Filed Jan. 26, 1966 INVENTOR.

SIDNEY 5. ROSEN ATTORNEY United States Patent York Filed Jan. 26, 1966, Ser. No. 523,156 Claims. (Cl. 206-450) This invention relates generally to the packaging of eyeglasses, particularly of the type having tinted or otherwise treated lenses for excluding part of the suns rays so as to constitute sunglasses.

Although supermarkets and other large self-service retail stores presently handle a wide variety of goods, difficulty has been experienced in employing such retail outlets for the merchandising of eyeglasses of the described character. tail stores require articles, other than foods, that are of themselves sufficiently small to permit the pocketing thereof themselves sufficiently small to permit the pocketing thereof, and thus giving rise to the possibility of pilferage, to be either enclosed in a carton or package or securely attached to a display card of suflicient size to prevent pocketing thereof. In the case of sunglasses, it has been previously proposed to enclose the sunglasses entirely within a vacuum-formed plastic blister which is securely attached to a display card of adequate size. However, such packaging of sunglasses tends to discourage the purchasing thereof, as the prospective buyer cannot try-on the sunglasses, as is the common practice, with a view to selecting those glasses which are comfortable and attractive in appearance when worn by the purchaser.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide improved packaging for sunglasses and the like which prevents the pocketing or pilfering of the sunglasses, and yet permits a prospective purchaser to try-on the glasses and thereby determine whether a selected style is comfortable and attractive, without requiring the separation of the sunglasses from the other parts of the associated package.

Another object is to provide sunglasses and the like with a display card securely attached thereto and of such size as to prevent the pocketing or pilfering of the sunglasses, and wherein such display card is constructed and arranged with respect to the sunglasses so as to permit a prospective purchaser to try-on the sunglasses without substantial interference from the display card either as to the fit of the sunglasses or the appearance thereof on the wearer.

Another object is to provide packaging for sunglasses and the like in which the display card to which the sunglasses are securely attached so as to prevent pocketing or pilfering thereof is further constructed and arranged to permit the displaying of the sunglasses either on a rack having hooks or the like from which the display cards are suspended or by placement on a counter or other horizontal support surface.

Still another object is to provide packaging for sunglasses and the like having the above described characteristics, and in which the display card is of unique appearance in imparting three-dimensional eifects to any printed material or art work carried thereby.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, eyeglasses such as sunglasses and the like having a frame containing lens elements and temple bars hingedly connected to the opposite sides of the frame for movement between stored positions at which the temple bars extend laterally and overlap in back of the frame and operative positions at which the temple bars extend rearwardly from the sides of the frame in generally parallel, spaced planes, are provided with a display card including at least Supermarkets and other large self-service re one substantially rigid, planar sheet element having an end portion of a width less than the length of one of the temple bars, and means securely attaching one temple bar to the end portion of the sheet element with the temple bar extending thereacross and the remainder of the sheet element projecting upwardly from the temple bar. Further, in accordance with the invention, each sheet element included in the display card is movable with the temple bar attached thereto to lie flat in back of the sunglasses in the stored position of the respective temple bar and to lie substantially flat in the plane of the respective temple bar in the operative position of the latter so as to avoid interference with the trying-on of the sunglasses and viewing of the frame, and the over-all dimensions of the sheet element are sufliciently large to substantially prevent pocketing of the sunglasses with the display card attached thereto.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the means securely attaching each sheet element of the display card to the respective temple bar is in the form of a vacuumformed plastic blister closely enveloping the temple bar along a substantial portion of its length and being securely bonded to the respective sheet element at the end portion of the latter.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, each sheet element of the display card has an aperture therein located so as to be centered above the frame when the respective temple bar is in its stored position, thereby to permit suspension of the display card with the eyeglasses attached thereto from a hook or the like extended into the sheet element aperture. Further, each sheet element of the display card preferably has a lower edge located with respect to the temple bar attached thereto so as to lie substantially at the level of the bottom of the frame when the respective temple bar is in its stored position, thereby to stabilize support of the sunglasses and display card on a horizontal surface with the display card held substantially erect.

In a particularly desirable embodiment of the invention, the display card includes two sheet elements having the temple hars extending from the opposite sides of the frame respectively attached securely thereto so that, when the temple bars are in their stored positions, the sheet elements of the display card will extend upwardly in back of the sunglasses, preferably in spaced planes so as to impart a three-dimensional effect to printed material or art work carried by the sheet elements, whereas, when the temple bars are in their rearwardly extending operative positions, the sheet elements will be similarly disposed in substantially parallel, spaced planes between which a prospective purchasers head can extend when trying-on the sunglasses.

The above, an other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of sunglasses packaged in accordance with one embodiment of this invention, and with the temple bars of the sunglasses shown in closed positions, that is, in the condition for display of the sunglasses;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but with the temple bars shown in their open position, that is, in the condition for trying-on the sunglasses;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 on FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, but illustrating a display card in accordance with another embodiment of this invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIGS. 1-4 thereof, it will be seen that eyeglasses to be packaged in accordance with this invention are generally identified by the reference numeral and conventionally shown to include a frame 11 containing lenses 12 which may be tinted or otherwise treated to ban at least part of the suns radiation so as to constitute sunglasses. Temple bars 13 and 14 are hingedly connected, as at 15 (FIGS. 3 and 4), to the opposite sides of frame 11 for movement between stored positions, as shown on FIG. 1, where the temple bars extend laterally and overlap in back of the frame, and operative positions, as shown on FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, where temple bars 13 and 14 extend rearwardly in generally parallel, spaced planes from the opposite sides of frame 11.

In accordance with this invention, the packaging for eyeglasses 10 includes a display card 16 (FIG. 1) which, in the preferred embodiment being described, includes two substantially rigid, planar sheet elements 17 and 18 of cardboard or the like. Such sheet elements 17 and 18 have end portions 17a and 18a (FIGS. 3 and 4) of widths less than the lengths of temple bars 13 and 14, respectively, as shown. The temple bars 13 and 14 are respectively securely attached to end portions 17a and 18a so as to extend across the latter with the remaining major portions 17 b and 18b of the sheet elements projecting upwardly from the temple bars.

The secure attachment of temple bars 13 and 14 to end portions 17a and 18a of the sheet elements is preferably effected by plastic blisters 19 and 20 (FIGS. 3 and 4) which may be conventionally vacuum-formed so as to closely envelop temple bars 13 and 14 along substantial portions of the lengths thereof and which have margins 19a and 20a securely bonded or adhered to the respective sheet elements. Although blistering of the temple bars to the sheet elements 17 and 18 as described is preferred, the secure attachment of the temple bars to the respective sheet elements may be less desirably effected by other means, for example, by stapling or by extending the temple bars through spaced slots (not shown) in end portions 17a and 18a of the sheet elements.

By reason of the secure attachment of the temple bars to sheet elements 17 and 18, the latter are movable with the temple bars so as to lie substantially flat in back of eyeglasses 10 in the stored positions of temple bars 13 and 14, as shown on FIG. 1, and to lie substantially fiat approximately in the parallel, spaced planes of the respective temple bars when the latter are moved to their operative positions, as shown on FIG. 2. As indicated in broken lines on FIG. 1, the surfaces of sheet elements 17 and 18 which face forwardly toward eyeglasses 10 in the stored positions of temple bars 13 and 14 may carry printed material and/or art work so as to constitute a point-of-scale advertisement for the packaged eyeglasses.

As shown, sheet elements 17 and 18 preferably have portions 17c (FIG. 3) and 186 (FIG. 1) which overlap laterally in the stored positions of temple bars 13 and 14, and such portions 17c and 18c are formed with apertures 21 and 22, respectively, which register at a location centered above frame 11 in the stored positions of the temple bars. Thus, when the temple bars are in their closed or stored positions, as on FIG. 1, a hook or the like (not shown) can be passed through registering apertures 21 and 22 for suspension of display card 16 with eyeglasses 10 attached thereto.

Sheet elements 17 and 18 further have lower edges 17d and 18d located with respect to temple bars 13 and 14 attached thereto so as to lie substantially at the level of the bottom of frame 11 in the stored positions of temple bars 13 and 14, as shown on FIG. 1. Thus, the eyeglasses 10 may be alternatively displayed on a counter top or other horizontal support surface, in which case the edges 17d and 18d spaced rearwardly from the bottom of frame 11 stabilize the latter with sheet elements 17 and 18 of the display card held erect.

The sheet elements 17 and 18 may be die-cut to have various peripheral configurations enchancing the appearance thereof, but in all cases the overall dimensions of sheet elements 17 and 18 are sufficiently large, as shown, to substantially prevent pocketing of eyeglasses 10 with display card 16 attached thereto. Thus, pilfering of the eyeglasses is substantially prevented when such article is packaged in accordance with this invention for sale in a super-market or other large self-service retail store. However, when temple bars 13 and 14 are moved to their operative or open positions, as shown on FIG. 1, sheet elements 17 and 18 are swung aside therewith from in back of frame 11 and a prospective puchaser can don the eyeglasses in the usual manner to determine whether the selected style thereof is comfortable and attractive on such purchaser. In the positions of FIG. 1, sheet elements 17 and 18, while still securely attached to eyeglasses 10, do not substantially interfere with the fitting of the frame to the prospective purchaser or with the latters view through lenses 12. Further, the sheet elements 17 and 18, being swung aside have substantially only their edges visible from in front, and thus do not substantially alter the appearance of eyeglass frame 11 as viewed in a mirror.

The display card 16 formed of two sheet elements 17 and 18, as described, has the further advantage of imparting a three-dimensional effect to the printed material and/or art work on the faces of such sheet elements as the latter, in the stored or closed positions of temple bars 13 and 14, are disposed in planes that are spaced different distances from the back of frame 11. However, if desired, as shown on FIG. 5, a display card 116 for secure attachment to eyeglasses in accordance with this invention may consist of a single sheet element 118 having an end portion 118a to which only one temple bar 14 is securely attached, as by a plastic blister 20. In the case of the single sheet element 118, the portion 118!) thereof which extends upwardly from the temple bar may have a width approximating the combined width of sheet elements 17 and 18 on FIG. 1 so as to present a similar appearance when viewed with the temple bars in their stored positions and to act similarly in preventing pocketing of the attached eyeglasses. The single sheet element 118 may have an aperture 122 located so as to be centered above the eyeglass frame in the stored position of the temple bar attached thereto, whereby the display card with the eyeglasses attached thereto can be conveniently suspended from a hook or the like extending into aperture 112. Sheet element 118 further preferably has a lower edge 118d located with respect to temple bar 14 so as to lie substantially at the level of the bottom of the eyeglass frame in the stored or closed position of temple bar 14 and thereby to provide stable support for the eyeglasses on a horizontal support surface with display card 116 held erect.

When temple bar 14 is moved to its operative or opened position, sheet element 118 is swung aside from in back of the eyeglass frame to permit a prospective purchaser to try-on the eyeglasses affixed thereto. Once again, since only an edge of sheet element 118 is visible from in front, such sheet element does not interfere with the purchasers determination of the appearance of the frame, as worn.

It will be apparent from the above described embodiments of the invention, that packaging for eyeglasses is provided to substantially prevent pilfering thereof when displayed in super-markets or other large self-service retail stores, and yet permitting the prospective purchasers to try-on the eyeglasses, as is the general practice in selecting such articles.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination of eyeglasses having a frame containing lens elements and temple bars hingedly connected to the opposite sides of the frame for movement between stored positions at which the temple bars extend laterally and overlap in back of said frame and operative positions at which the temple bars extend rearwardly from said sides of the frame in generally parallel, spaced planes; and a display card including at least one substantially rigid, planar sheet element having an end portion of a width less than the length of one of said temple bars, and means securely attaching said one temple bar to said end portion of said sheet element with said one temple bar extending across said end portion and the remainder of said sheet element projecting upwardly from the temple bar, each said sheet element of the display card being movable with the temple bar attached thereto to lie flat in back of the eyeglasses in said stored position of the respective temple bar and to lie substantially flat in said plane of the respective temple bar in said operative position of the latter so as to avoid interference with the trying-on of the eyeglasses and viewing of said frame, the overall dimensions of said sheet element being sufficiently large to substantially prevent pocketing of said eyeglasses with said display card attached thereto.

2. The combination according to claim 1; wherein said means securely attaching said one temple bar to said end portion of said sheet element includes a plastic blister closely enveloping said one temple bar along a substantial portion of said length thereof and being securely bonded to said sheet element.

3. The combination according to claim 1; wherein said sheet element has an aperture therein located so as to be centered above said frame when said one temple bar is in said stored position thereof, thereby to permit suspension from said aperture of the display card with the eyeglasses attached thereto.

4. The combination according to claim 3; wherein said sheet element has a lower edge along said end portion located with respect to said one temple bar attached thereto so as to lie substantially at the level of the bottom of said frame when said one temple bar is in said stored position, thereby to stabilize support of the eyeglasses and display card on a horizontal surface with said sheet element held erect.

5. The combination according to claim 1; wherein said display card further includes a second substantially rigid,

planar sheet element having an end portion of a width less than the length of the other of said temple bars, and means securely attaching said other temple bar to said end por tion of the second sheet element with said other temple bar extending across said end portion of the second sheet element and the remainder of the latter projecting upwardly from said other temple bar.

6. The combination according to claim 5; wherein said one sheet element and said second sheet element have at least portions thereof above said end portions which overlap laterally in said stored positions of the respective temple bars.

7. The combination according to claim 6; wherein said one sheet element and said second sheet element have apertures in said overlapping portions and located so as to register with each other and be centered above said frame when said temple bars are in the stored positions thereof, thereby to permit suspension from said registered apertures of the display card with the eyeglasses attached thereto.

8. The combination according to claim 5; wherein each of said sheet elements has a lower edge along said end portion located with respect to the respective temple bar attached thereto so as to lie substantially at the level of the bottom of said frame when the temple bars are in their stored positions, thereby to stabilize support of the eyeglasses and display card on a horizontal support surface with said sheet elements held erect.

9. The combination according to claim 5; wherein said means securely attaching each of said temple bars to the respective sheet element includes a plastic blister closely enveloping the temple bar along a substantial portion of said length thereof and being securely bonded to said end portion of the respective sheet element.

10. The combination according to claim 9; wherein said one sheet element and said second sheet element have at least portions thereof above said end portions which overlap laterally in said stored positions of the temple bars, apertures in said overlapping portions of the sheet elements located so as to register with each other and be centered above said frame when said temple bars are in their stored positions, thereby to permit suspension from said registered apertures of the display card with the eyeglasses attached thereto, and lower edges on said end portions of the sheet elements located with respect to the temple bars respectively attached thereto so as to lie sub stantially at the level of the bottom of said frame when the temple bars are in their stored positions, thereby to stabilize support of the eyeglasses and display card on a horizontal support surface with said sheet elements held erect.

No references cited.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. J. M. CASKIE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. THE COMBINATION OF EYEGLASS HAVING A FRAME CONTAINING LESS ELEMENTS AND TEMPLE BARS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE FRAME FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN STORED POSITIONS AT WHICH THE TEMPLE BARS EXTEND LATERALLY AND OVERLAP IN BACK OF SAID FRAME AND OPERATIVE POSITIONS AT WHICH THE TEMPLE BARS EXTEND REARWARDLY FROM SAID SIDE OF THE FRAME IN GENERALLY PARALLEL, SPACED PLANES; AND A DISPLAY CARD INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID, PLANAR SHEET ELEMENT HAVING AN END PORTION OF A WIDTH LESS THAN THE LENGTH OF ONE OF SAID TEMPLE BARS, AND MEANS SECURELY ATTACHING SAID ONE TEMPLE BAR TO SAID END PORTION OF SAID SHEET ELEMENT WITH SAID ONE TEMPLE BAR EXTENDING ACROSS SAID END PORTION AND THE REMAINDER OF SAID SHEET ELEMENT PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE TEMPLE BAR, EACH SAID SHEET ELEMENT OF EH DISPLAY CAR BEING MOVABLE WITH THE TEMPLE BAR ATTACHED THERTO TO LIE FLAT IN BACK OF THE EYEGLASS IN SAID STORED POSITION OF THE RESPECTIVE TEMPLE BAR AND TO LIE SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT IN SAID PLANE OF THE RESPECTIVE TEMPLE BAR IN SAID OPERATIVE POSITION OF THE LATTER SO AS TO AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH THE TRYING-ON OF THE EYEGLASSES AND VIEWING OF SAID FRAME, AND THE OVERALL DIMENSIONS OF SAID SHEET ELEMENT BEING SUFFICIENTLY LARGE TO SUBSTANTIALLY PREVENT POCKETING OF SAID EYEGLASS WITH SAID DISPLAY CAR ATTACHED THERETO. 